Fall Line:
Break Decider

The Fall Line is the true downward direction of the slope. Knowing the direction of this line will help you to determine exactly which way your ball will break at the hole.

Fall Line

Train Your Eye to See the Fall Line

It connects the highest point on the rim of the hole with the lowest point.

It is sometimes referred to as the flow line as this is the direction water would take down the slope.

A Decision of Golf recommends that when cutting a hole on a slope, the hole should be cut vertically. This permits the flagstick to be as nearly upright as possible.

Regardless of how the hole is cut, plumb with the contour of the green or vertical as recommended, the hole will have one and only one high point when it is on a sloping surface.

If you want to improve your green reading and predict how your ball will break at the hole, you must train your eye to see the Fall Line.

Direction of Break

Fall Line Putt Reader

Once you know the local Fall Line through the hole, the direction of break from all sides is always the same.

• Putts on the Right Side of the Fall Line, uphill or downhill, - break Right to Left.



• Putts on the Left Side of the Fall Line, uphill or downhill, - break Left to Right.



• Putts on the Fall Line, uphill or downhill, - are Straight.

It is as EASY as that when you train your eye with the Fall Line Putt Reader.

Makeable Putts

The most common putts in a round of golf are in the makeable range of four to five feet. These are the putts you would like to make and get frustrated if you keep missing them. Miss enough of then and it backs up into your whole game.

Bad strokes are responsible for some of your misses, but a good number of your misses will be the result of a misread. In other words, poor putt and green reading.

If you want to start making more of these putts, then there are two things you have to do:

• Train your eye to see the local Fall Line at the hole so you can judge accurately the direction of the break.



• Practice your Tempo and Distance Control so that you can get your ball to arrive at the hole at the same speed every time; one that gives your ball the best opportunity to fall into the hole and stay there.

Mapping the Greens

Mapping the Greens at your local course will help you to build up a mental picture of each green.

You should find the most probable hole locations and then mark the local Fall Lines on a rough sketch of each green. Next time you play the course you will have a handy reference to help you make more putts.

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